Current Affairs search results for tag: national

1. India dispatches 2,200 MT of rice to Myanmar as humanitarian aid.

Tags: National News

India dispatches 2,200 MT of rice to Myanmar as humanitarian aid.

Why in the news?

• In line with India’s ‘Act East’ & ‘Neighbourhood First’ policies, India dispatched a consignment of 2,200 metric tonnes of rice to Myanmar.

Important points:

• “The consignment, whichdeparted from Chennai Port, signifies India’s dedication to maintaining stable and supportive relations with its neighbors through vital food supply assistance.
• Myanmar has become the world’s deadliest country for landmine casualties, with over 1,000 victims in 2023, surpassing all other nations.
•  The situation is particularly dire for children, who account for 20 % of the casualties. India has sent aid to Myanmar in the past, including in response to natural disasters and development projects.
• In September 2024, India sent 32 tonnes of relief supplies to Myanmar in a military transport aircraft under its operation ‘Sadbhav’ in the wake of the major typhoon that hit the nation.
• The operation ‘Sadbhav’ is part of India’s broader effort to contribute to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) within the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.

About the Myanmar:

• Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. 
• Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country's largest city, is home to bustling markets, numerous parks and lakes, and the towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century. 
• Naypyidaw, officially romanized as Nay Pyi Taw (NPT), is the capital and third-largest city of Myanmar.

2. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches "Amrit Gyaan Kosh" Portal.

Tags: National News

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh   launches "Amrit Gyaan Kosh" Portal.

Why in the news?

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched "Amrit Gyan Kosh" Portal to strengthen governance training.

Important points:

• The Minister also inaugurated"Advanced Case Writing and Teaching Workshop"  organized under the aegis of the Capacity Building Commission in partnership with the Stanford Leadership Academy for Development and the Asian Development Bank Institute.
• The workshop is alandmark initiative to strengthen governance training and capacity building for public administrators in India.
• During the address, the Minister unveiled a significant milestone—thelaunch of the dedicated portal for Amrit Gyaan Kosh on the iGOT platform, jointly developed by the Capacity Building Commission and Karmayogi Bharat. 
• This comprehensive repository, launched in August this year, curates best practices from across India, aligning with 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and encompassing diverse policy themes such as health, education, agriculture, and digital governance.
• The workshop emphasizes the importance of case-based approaches in governance training. Participants will learn to develop structured case studies, enhance their teaching methods, and contribute new material to Amrit Gyaan Kosh. 
• The curated resources enable faculty to align their teaching with global standards while addressing India's unique administrative challenges.

3. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches LIC’s Bima Sakhi Yojana

Tags: National News

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches LIC’s Bima Sakhi Yojana

Why in the news?

• The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today launched the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ of Life Insurance Corporation, in line with his commitment to women empowerment and financial inclusion, in Panipat, Haryana. 

What is The ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana?

• The ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ initiative of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is designed to empower women aged 18-70 years, who are Class X pass.
• They will receive specialized training and a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness. 
• After training, they can serve as LIC agents and the graduate Bima Sakhis would have the opportunity to qualify for being considered for Development Officer roles in LIC.
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4. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became Namibia’s first female president.

Tags: International Relations

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became Namibia’s first female president.

Why in the news?

• Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has made history as  Namibia’s first female president-elect securing 57% of the vote in the November 27, 2024, election. 

Important points:

• Representing the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed Namibia since its independence in 1990, she defeated her closest rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who received 26% of the vote.

About  Nandi-Ndaitwah:

• Born on October 29, 1952, in the northern village of Onamutai, Nandi-Ndaitwah is the ninth of thirteen children in her family.
•  Her father was an Anglican priest, and her early life was marked by political activism.
• At just 14, she joined SWAPO during Namibia’s fight for independence from South African rule.

Education and early career:

• Nandi-Ndaitwah pursued higher education in Zambia, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom, earning advanced degrees in International Relations and Public Administration.
• After Namibia gained independence in 1990, she returned to play a key role in nation-building, holding several significant ministerial positions throughout her career.

Advocacy and leadership

• Nandi-Ndaitwah is a vocal advocate for women’s rights. She was instrumental in passing the Combating of Domestic Violence Act in 2002 and has consistently pushed for gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated political sphere.

About Namibia:

• Namibia, a country insouthwest Africa, is distinguished by the Namib Desert along its Atlantic Ocean coast.
• The country is home to diverse wildlife, including a significant cheetah population. The capital, Windhoek, and coastal town Swakopmund contain German colonial-era buildings such as Windhoek's Christuskirche, built in 1907.
•  In the north, Etosha National Park’s salt pan draws game including rhinos and giraffes.
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5. ​​​​Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav.

Tags: National News

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav.

Why in the news?

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on December 6,2024.

About Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav:

• Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav is a three-day cultural festival, being celebrated for the first time from 6th to 8th December at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. 
• It highlights the vastcultural tapestry of Northeast India, bringing together an array of traditional arts, crafts, and cultural practices.

Important points:

• To promote economic opportunities in areas such as traditional handicrafts, handlooms, agricultural products, and tourism, the Mahotsav features a variety of events.
•  The festival also hasartisan exhibitions, Grameen haats, state specific pavilions and technical sessions on key areas crucial to the development of the northeastern region.
• Key events include Investors Roundtable and buyer-seller meets designed to be a unique opportunity to build and strengthen networks, partnerships, and joint initiatives boosting economic growth of the region. 
• The Mahotsav has Design conclave and Fashion shows displaying the rich handloom and handicraft traditions of Northeast India at the national stage.
•  Highlighting the region's rich cultural heritage, the festival also showcases vibrant musical performances and indigenous cuisines of Northeast India.

6. Cabinet approves setting up of 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas in the uncovered districts of the country.

Tags: National News

Cabinet approves setting up of 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas in the uncovered districts of the country.

Why in the news?

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approvedsetting up of 28 Nvodaya aVidyalayas (NVs) in the uncovered districts of the country under the Navodaya Vidyalaya Scheme (Central Sector Scheme). 

Important points:

• The total estimated requirement of funds for establishment of the 28 NVs is Rs. 2359.82 crore spread over a period of five years from 2024-25 to 2028-29.
•  This includes a capital expenditure component of Rs. 1944.19 crore and operational expenditure of Rs. 415.63 crore.
•  The administrative structure for implementing the project will require creation of posts at par with the norms fixed by the Samiti for running of one full fledged NV with a capacity of 560 students. Hence, 560 x 28 = 15680 students would benefit. 
• As per norms in vogue, a full-fledged NV provides employment to 47 persons and accordingly, approved 28 NavodayaVidyalayas will provide direct permanent employment to 1316 individuals.  
• Construction and allied activities for creating the school infrastructure are likely to generate employment opportunities for many skilled and unskilled workers.  
•   Due to its residential nature, each Navodaya Vidyalaya will generate opportunities to the local vendors for supply of essential commodities such as food, consumables, furniture, teaching material etc. and for local service providers such as barber, tailor cobbler, manpower for housekeeping & security services etc.

About  Navodaya Vidyalayas:

• The NVs are fully residential, co-educational schools providing good quality modern education from Class VI to XII to the talented children, predominantly from the rural areas without regard to their family’s socio-economic condition. 
•  Admissions to these schools are done on the basis of a Selection Test. Approx. 49,640 students are admitted in NVs to class VI every year.

7. Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, developing National Legal Metrology Portal (eMaap)

Tags: National News

Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, developing National Legal Metrology Portal (eMaap)

Why in the news?

• The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, is developing the National Legal Metrology Portal (eMaap) to integrate State Legal Metrology Departments and their portals into a unified National System.

Key points:

• Presently, State Governments are using their own portals for registration of packaged commodities, issue of licenses and verification/stamping of weighing & measuring instruments.  
• Therefore, the Department of Consumer Affairs is integrating all the state portals in one as National Legal Metrology Portal ‘eMaap’ which will include all functions of Legal Metrology including enforcement and help to get a unified database.

Objectives:

•  This initiative aims to streamline processes for issuing licenses, conducting verifications and managing enforcement and compliance. 
• By creating a centralized database, eMaap eliminates the need for stakeholders to register on multiple State Portals, fostering ease of doing business and transparency in trade practices.

Significance:

• eMaap simplifies critical procedures such as issuing, renewing, and amending licenses, as well as handling verification & stamping of weighing & measuring instruments, registration certificates, and appeals, etc.  
• For traders and industries, it minimizes compliance burdens, reduces paperwork and ensures timely adherence to the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Rules made thereunder, creating a transparent and conducive business environment. 
• The portal is also expected to significantly boost manufacturing growth by fostering efficiency and accountability.
• For consumers,eMaap ensures that trade instruments are verified for accuracy, enhancing confidence in market transactions. 
• It provides a transparent legal metrology system, allowing easy access to certificates and promoting awareness of rights and responsibilities. 
• For Governments, the portal enables data-driven decision-making, streamlines enforcement activities, and facilitates policy formation, ensuring a robust and efficient regulatory framework.

8. 'Brain Rot’ named Oxford Word of the Year 2024

Tags: International News

'Brain Rot’ named Oxford Word of the Year 2024

Why in the news?

• Oxford University Press (OUP) has announced ‘brain rot’ as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024.

Key points:

• The selection process for the word of the year 2024 involved over 37,000 public votes from a shortlist of six words compiled by Oxford University. 
• The word‘Brain Rot’ highlights the growing concerns around the effects of consuming trivial social media content on mental health.
• Other words in OUP’s shortlist were demure, dynamic pricing, lore, romantasy, and slop. 

About Oxford University Press (OUP) :

• Oxford University Press (OUP) is a department of the University of Oxford that publishes academic and educational resources.
• OUP's mission is to create high-quality resources and make them available to as many people as possible. 
• Oxford University Press Headquarters is situated at Oxford, United Kingdom.

9. China Opens First Atmospheric Monitoring Station in Antarctica

Tags: International News

China Opens First Atmospheric Monitoring Station in Antarctica

Why in the news?

• China has inaugurated its first atmospheric monitoring station in Antarctica, marking a significant expansion of its research presence on the continent. 

Objectives:

• Located in Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica ,the Zhongshan National Atmospheric Background Station aims to provide continuous and long-term observations of atmospheric components, contributing valuable data on climate change and the impact of human activity on the environment.
• This station supportsChina's growing role in Antarctic research, aligning with its broader goals as a 'polar power.'

About Antarctica:

• Antarctica, the southernmost continent and site of the South Pole, is a virtually uninhabited, ice-covered landmass.
•  Most cruises to the continent visit the Antarctic Peninsula, which stretches toward South America. It’sknown for the Lemaire Channel and Paradise Harbor, striking, iceberg-flanked passageways, and Port Lockroy, a former British research station turned museum. 
• The peninsula’s isolated terrain also shelters rich wildlife, including many penguins.
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10. Union Minister Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh Launches 'Nano Bubble Technology'

Tags: National News

Union Minister Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh Launches 'Nano Bubble Technology'

Why in the news?

• Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Climate Change Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh on Tuesday launched 'Nano Bubble Technology' for cleaning and purifying water of National Zoological Park, Delhi to promote the health of aquatic animals.

 Key points:

• This technology can clean dirty pond water by removing algae and similar growths. 
• It is being tested in thezoo for the first time as a 15-day trial. If successful, it will be used in the zoo.

Objectives:

• The goal of this technology is to keep water clean, ensuring the health and well-being of aquatic creatures. Clean water prevents foul smells, algae buildup, and discoloration often caused by dirty pond water. 
• This new technology will improve water quality and benefit the animals.

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